The House late last week approved a $2.9 trillion fiscal year 2008 budget resolution. It does not include millions of dollars in Medicare and Medicaid cuts, as requested by President Bush in his budget blueprint.
The House measure exceeds the amount Bush requested for discretionary spending by more than $24 billion. It also exceeds the amount of the Senate fiscal year 2008 budget resolution by about $7 billion.
Bush’s budget outline includes about $10 billion in Medicare cuts to skilled nursing facilities over five years. Republicans and the administration criticized the House bill for its lack of cuts to entitlement programs. Congressmen hope to complete negotiations with the Senate on a final budget resolution by May 1.
